Kiva has expanded their reach today by loaning money to entrepreneurs in the United States. Previously, their success in providing small business loans around the world has become renowned.
Kiva does not loan money directly. However, they work with partner organizations which identify valid requests for micro-loans. Their success has been in making it easy for anyone, via the internet, to donate as little as $25 to help someone else. 98% of all loans are repaid.
I personally have had a Kiva account for about two years. I first loaned money to help a man open a grocery store in Cambodia. That loan was repaid, and now I am helping a woman in Viet Nam open a tailoring shop. I don't have much money myself, but I love helping other people who really appreciate it!
You earn no interest; this is not an "investment" in that sense. It is an investment in the lives of people. You may donate to cover administration costs if you wish.
And now, people in the US can receive Kiva funding. The United States Field Partners currently are Opportunity Fund and ACCION USA. Kiva's web site states, "Kiva is a global organization and seeks to provide working capital to entrepreneurs all over the world. Poverty exists in every country, including the United States, and Kiva hopes to address poverty wherever it exists."
I encourage anyone with a desire to help others to check out Kiva.
Kiva
2 comments:
Thanks for getting the word out about Kiva. They are doing wondeful work.
By the way, are you really making 25 cents a day blogging? I don't think I make that per year :-)
Actually, I'm up to over 50 cents a day! But I don't think I'll get rich.
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